a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
I am one of those people who absolutely LOVES blessing others with gifts. Christmas is a very exciting time of year for me because it is the PERFECT opportunity to bless our Sunday school teachers, music teachers, coaches, etc. with a little thank you.
In less than one hour I made these cute little Christmas stockings using remnant fabric that I picked up for only $1 and small pieces of left over trim from various projects. At less than $.017 each, they make adorable and reusable gift wrap for the recipient. They are the perfect size to stuff with all sorts of small gifts. Teachers appreciate pens, pencils, notepads, erasers, paperclips, bookmarks, travel sized lotion and body wash, etc.
This year we also blessed a few folks with homemade snowman soup, aka, homemade hot cocoa mix in a snowman mug with a peppermint "stir" stick. Snowman soup is one of my favorite gifts and almost anyone who knows me personally has received this at least once. I think this is the BEST hot cocoa mix I've ever had and I'd like to share it with you.
HOMEMADE HOT COCOA MIX
(gleaned from a t.v. program many years ago)
1 2lb. box powdered Nesquick chocolate milk mix (I use the store brand)
2 tbsp. ground cinnamon (optional)
1lb. confectioners sugar
11 oz. non-dairy creamer
1 8qt. box non-fat dry milk
1 10 oz. bag mini marshmallows (optional)
In a VERY large bowl mix the chocolate milk mix and cinnamon until combined well. Add the confectioners sugar and non-dairy creamer, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1/2 the dry milk until blended well. Add remaining dry milk, stirring until mixed well. Stir in marshmallows. Store in a large airtight container in a cool dry pantry.
To Use:
Add 2-3 tablespoons cocoa mix to a mug. Add hot water, stir and ENJOY. For a special treat top with homemade whipped cream and use a peppermint stick to stir.
Makes about 75 mugs of cocoa mix @ about $0.16 per cup & far tastier than what you'll find on the grocer's shelf.
Well, although I've been away from the computer this week, today the Christmas stockings covered a Make It For Less Monday and a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday. I also squeezed in a Frugal Feasting Friday with the homemade cocoa mix.
During the next couple weeks I plan to enjoy my family and won't be around the computer. I leave you all with the following prayer:
Lord, I pray my readers and their families experience a blessed Christmas season. As we approach the celebration of the birth of Christ, your abundantly generous gift to all mankind, help us to remember WHY Christ came. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17 NIV). Amen.
See you next year!!
Blessings,
Mrs.B
Oh I love the stocking and what wonderful gifts they make
ReplyDeleteI hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas
Yes! This is a great recipe for hot cocoa! I used her recipe for my family (had to omit the cinnamon) and I also made Snowman soup for my annual staff Christmas party. Can't beat a party favor for $1.17 plus wrapping. Thank you Mrs. B for all that you share with us (me). Can't wait to see you!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mrs. A
Love this!!! When I bought Dixie Lee's first stocking, it came with a cardboard insert that was of course stocking shaped. I kept it to use as a pattern in case I decided to make some in the future. It's not a full size stocking or mini but it's a nice size to use as gift wrap for a loaf of fresh to give someone.
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